Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has announced new enforcement measures, effective from 12 November 2025, to limit misuse of the visa exemption scheme known as “visa runs.” The policy aims to address concerns about foreign nationals overstaying, using visa-free entry for long-term residence, and engaging in illicit activities.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
These changes have significant implications for long-stay tourists, digital nomads, and business travelers with visa exemption entries. Frequent visa runs, where individuals exit and re-enter Thailand to renew short-term stays, will now be closely scrutinized, with entry denied after more than two runs without valid reasons. This may increase compliance burdens and the need for proper long-term visas (such as tourist, business, education, retirement, or marriage categories).
The new rules may also affect recruitment and mobility planning for remote workers and expats, especially those who have previously used visa runs as a workaround for long-term stays.
Key Highlights
Visa Run Restrictions
Entry denied after more than two visa runs in a calendar year without a justifiable reason at both international airports and border checkpoints. Applies to those repeatedly leaving and re-entering Thailand with visa exemption instead of obtaining proper long-term visas.
Border Area Screening
Enhanced checks at high-risk border crossings (such as Mae Sot), with bans for individuals on watchlists or past deportations.
Extension Restrictions
Visa exemption extensions limited to two per year (first extension for 30 days, second for 7 days). Foreign nationals entering by land border cannot receive extensions. Same-day re-entries are not eligible for extensions. Immigration offices will reject or revoke extensions showing visa-run patterns, with potential deportation.
Overstay Enforcement
Increased efforts to identify and deport individuals overstaying their visas.
Target Groups
Long-stay tourists, digital nomads, business travelers with visa exemption entries for a long-term visit or remote work are most affected. Tourists visiting for genuine short stays (one or two times a year) or holding proper long-term visas (tourist, business, marriage, retirement, education, etc.) are generally not affected.
Operational Impact
The immigration lines may be slower during busy periods due to enhanced screening, but queue times are targeted to remain reasonable.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of the changes, organizations may wish to:
- Review the visa status of employees and contractors undertaking work or extended stays in Thailand.
- Advise globally mobile staff and digital nomads to secure appropriate long-term visas, e.g., Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Business Visa (Non-Immigrant B), Education Visa (ED), Retirement Visa (Non-Immigrant O), etc., rather than relying on tourist exemptions or visa runs.
- Monitor developments in Thai immigration enforcement and prepare for potentially stricter documentation and interview requirements at entry points.
- Educate employees about risks of denial, deportation, and permanent bans for visa misuse or overstays.
Readers may wish to contact their usual immigration adviser or a member of the KPMG team in Thailand (see Contacts section).
FOOTNOTE:
1 “Visa Runs Limited to 2 Under New Thailand Immigration Measures,” The Government Public Relations Department, dated 18 November 2025.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Thailand.
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